The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 8 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
The next morning, Liu Jinfeng awoke with a sore back, unable to recall how she ended up in her room instead of the Astronomical Observatory. She vehemently declared herself transformed, defiantly renaming Duan Yunzhang "Despicable Xuan," and asserting that she no longer saw him as a man. She proclaimed that her happiness was now paramount. Soon after, a maid delivered an imperial decree: His Majesty wished for Liu Jinfeng to leave the palace immediately and for good.
Furious, Liu Jinfeng branded Duan Yunzhang "truly despicable." Meanwhile, Su Jingtang expressed concern to Duan Yunzhang about the morning assembly and the recent decree for the Empress to leave, fearing it would be perceived as an open challenge to Grand Chancellor Liu Xie. Duan Yunzhang admitted he held no personal affection for Liu Jinfeng but believed she was fundamentally different from her father—not inherently bad or evil.
He explained that his actions yesterday had set him on an inevitable collision course with Liu Xie, and keeping Liu Jinfeng in the palace would only expose her to danger. As Su Jingtang praised his saintly wisdom, Liu Jinfeng burst into the room, cutting short their conversation. She lambasted both Duan Yunzhang and Liu Xie for bullying a woman, labeling the Emperor an "incompetent emperor" and Liu Xie a "cunning official," both "hopeless."
She adamantly declared that she would not be dismissed at their whim; having become the Queen, she would not leave the palace. Liu Jinfeng asserted that she had once been "blinded by love" but now "could see it," and warned them that they would face the consequences of her new perspective, even threatening to burn down Xuanchen Hall, claiming Liu Xie would cover the costs. She stated that it was Duan Yunzhang, not her, who had changed his mind.
During the morning assembly, ministers reported that Grand Chancellor Liu Xie had feigned illness, taking indefinite leave and stating he would only return when he "felt like it." This caused considerable anxiety among the officials, especially regarding the urgent locust control plan. Duan Yunzhang, perplexed by Liu Xie's absence, wondered what his adversary was plotting. Suddenly, a public announcement blared across the palace, as Liu Jinfeng, armed with a stick, had coerced Duan Longyue into broadcasting her message.
She declared that she had been "blinded by love" but had now "recovered," and thus, she and Duan Yunzhang would "go their separate ways," requesting that their names "not be mentioned in the same breath." When Duan Longyue hesitated on the more inflammatory parts, Liu Jinfeng took over, loudly proclaiming that "Duan Yunzhang doesn't deserve it," "does not fit to be the Emperor," and is a "total jerk who had made me a complete fool."
Mortified, Duan Yunzhang abruptly dismissed the assembly. The Empress Dowager was enraged by Liu Jinfeng's sudden "neurotic" behavior and Liu Xie's unprecedented absence. Shen Ao explained that Liu Jinfeng's outburst stemmed from her discovering that Duan Yunzhang did not truly love her, having only married her due to a betrothal, which turned her love into hatred. He further revealed that Liu Jinfeng had also caused a disturbance at Liu Xie's residence, explaining his absence.
Prince Yunchong and Princess Yunyan were scandalized, calling Liu Jinfeng a "Black Bear" and deeming her unworthy of her position. The Empress Dowager agreed, lamenting that Liu Jinfeng was "not worthy to be a queen," had ruined the long-standing harmony between the Emperor and the Grand Chancellor, and "needs to be punished." However, Shen Ao advised against immediate punishment, warning it would only "worsen the situation" and complicate matters with Liu Xie.
He suggested leaving the matter to Duan Yunzhang, believing he would handle it appropriately. The Empress Dowager concurred, entrusting the matter to "Zhang." Duan Yunzhang intercepted Liu Jinfeng in a palace corridor, confronting her about publicly insulting him and defaming the imperial family. Liu Jinfeng retorted with sarcasm, challenging him to behead her and accusing him of being too fearful of Liu Xie to physically harm her, leaving expulsion as his only recourse.
She reaffirmed her intention for them to live separate lives, as she had declared earlier, and demanded he release her. Duan Yunzhang, after a moment of consideration, surprisingly stated that she could remain in the palace, especially if she truly wished to stay to see her mother. However, he insisted that as they were married, she must fulfill a wife's duties, including laundry, folding clothes, and other chores, rather than living off the imperial kitchen while insulting him.
Liu Jinfeng, unfazed, confidently dismissed these tasks as "easy," promising him to "just wait and see." Internally, Duan Yunzhang plotted to use these duties to eventually force her departure. Meanwhile, Liu Baiyu, having heard Liu Jinfeng's public broadcast, was displeased. She had initially thought Jinfeng was kind despite being clueless, but now perceived her as "unruly and conceited."
When Liu Jinfeng encountered her, Baiyu tried to inquire about the broadcast, but Liu Jinfeng brushed it off as "a long story" and excused herself, claiming she had "work to do." Chai Tiezhou then informed Liu Jinfeng that she was tasked with preparing twenty dishes for His Majesty. Liu Jinfeng learned that this was actually a reduced number compared to the Emperor's usual ninety daily dishes. Realizing Duan Yunzhang was attempting to force her out, she vowed not to yield.
She dismissed all other kitchen staff, keeping only Sufang to assist. Liu Jinfeng then efficiently prepared one large pot of stew, utilizing her "secret pickle recipe" with ingredients marinated for over a year, before cleverly dividing it into twenty distinct dishes, which she proudly presented. Initially hesitant, Duan Yunzhang decided to sample the food. To Chai Tiezhou's astonishment, Duan Yunzhang found the dishes delicious, eating them with great enjoyment.
Chai Tiezhou quickly intervened, reminding the Emperor of his true intention: to make Liu Jinfeng quit. Snapping back to his plan, Duan Yunzhang decided that since cooking didn't deter her, he would exhaust her with laundry. However, just as he formed this new resolve, he was overcome by severe stomach pain, exclaiming the food was "unhygienic," and hurried away to the latrine.
Imperial eunuchs delivered Duan Yunzhang's clothes to Liu Jinfeng, informing her it was her duty as a wife to wash them by the end of the day. Recognizing this as another attempt by the Emperor to vex her, Liu Jinfeng defiantly refused to back down. She gathered all the garments, submerged them in a large basin, and began stomping on them vigorously.
Sufang, alarmed, noted that the clothes were made of "exquisite silk from Huzhou," but Liu Jinfeng dismissed her concern, stating she was "running out of time" and couldn't "be bothered" with delicate washing, proclaiming it was simply her "duty to do the laundry." Upon seeing his clothes, now wrinkled and stained from Liu Jinfeng's unorthodox washing, Duan Yunzhang was enraged, declaring she had "crossed the line" and he would now be "ruthless."
He refused to attend the morning assembly, citing his bad mood. He then issued an oral decree, ostensibly praising Liu Jinfeng as "capable and diligent," but actually assigning her the task of cleaning the royal stable, which had been left filthy for three days. When the palace servants led Liu Jinfeng and Sufang to the foul-smelling stable, they quickly covered their noses and fled. Liu Jinfeng, however, remained undeterred, remarking that horse manure was valuable in her village for fertilizer.
Rolling up her sleeves, she confidently began the arduous task, embracing the challenge as proof of her capability. Duan Yunzhang later returned to the stable, astonished to find it "cleaned thoroughly" and completely free of odor. A servant confirmed that Liu Jinfeng had not only meticulously cleaned it herself but also repurposed the horse manure by sending it to the palace plantation for compost.
Just as Duan Yunzhang felt a moment of reluctant respect for her unexpected competence, the servant hesitantly brought up his beloved horse, Yinyun. Rushing to see it, Duan Yunzhang was horrified to find Yinyun completely shaved. The servant explained that Liu Jinfeng, noticing Yinyun sneezing and assuming it was due to the heat, had simply shaved off all its fur.
Furious that she had now interfered with his horse after his stomach and clothes, Duan Yunzhang inwardly vowed revenge for Yinyun. Su Jingtang, witnessing Duan Yunzhang's growing frustration with Liu Jinfeng, declared his intention to seize her for punishment. Just then, Duan Yunchong arrived and, upon hearing the situation, shared his findings from an investigation into Liu Jinfeng.
He reported that she consumed "at least five portions of rice every meal" and found amusement in bothering Liu Baiyu with silly jokes and deliberately spilling water on her book. Most alarmingly, Duan Yunchong revealed that Liu Jinfeng kept a "spider as a pet," concluding she was "just like the villain in the huabens."
Duan Yunzhang, feeling utterly "deceived by her friendly and innocent appearance," agreed that he would "won't ever have peace" until she was gone, determined to "chase her out." Su Jingtang then recalled a rumor from Xianpa Village that it was "full of women that bring misfortune to their husbands," suggesting Liu Jinfeng might bring bad luck or even "cause his death."
Although Duan Yunzhang feigned indifference, claiming that as Emperor he was "not afraid," he expressed urgency due to Liu Xie's continued absence. He then instructed Duan Yunchong, Su Jingtang, Shen Ao, and another official to "devise a strategy and make sure nothing goes wrong," cautioning them "not to go overboard," as "she's still a woman after all."
Outside, as they deliberated, Su Jingtang revealed a key piece of information from Xianpa Village: Liu Jinfeng "is afraid of nothing, except for one thing: Cosmetic surgery." Chai Tiezhou then delivered another imperial decree: Liu Jinfeng was no longer required to cook, do laundry, or perform any other chores. Thrilled, Liu Jinfeng interpreted this as Duan Yunzhang's defeat and eagerly planned a celebration. She instructed Sufang to invite Liu Baiyu to the Yufang Garden to share the unused ingredients.
In the garden, Liu Jinfeng playfully addressed Baiyu as her "beloved consort," inviting her to enjoy flowers and wine, asserting her right to have favorites just like the Emperor. Baiyu, however, feigned illness and quickly excused herself, unwilling to participate. Left alone, Liu Jinfeng was soon approached by Duan Yunchong, Su Jingtang, Shen Ao, and another official. They offered sincere apologies, claiming Duan Yunzhang had been unreasonable, and proposed to drink with her.
Liu Jinfeng, pleased, enthusiastically offered them her special dishes. Recalling Duan Yunzhang's severe stomach issues, the men were reluctant but discreetly avoided eating the food and poured out their wine when Liu Jinfeng was distracted. Shen Ao initiated a series of toasts, and after a few cups, Liu Jinfeng, finding the wine quite good, quickly became intoxicated and passed out.
Duan Yunchong and the others immediately carried her away towards Lingshu Academy, threatening Sufang not to interfere, citing an imperial order. News arrived that the Zheshi River had burst its banks, causing widespread flooding and displacing countless victims. Duan Yunzhang immediately ordered food relief and simultaneous dike repairs, emphasizing the urgency and rejecting any compromise. However, his ministers refused to accept the decree, insisting that all matters first be discussed and approved by Grand Chancellor Liu Xie.
Duan Yunzhang, frustrated by the bureaucratic delay amidst the dire crisis, reluctantly conceded. Just then, Sufang urgently requested an audience, tearfully reporting that Prince Yunchong and Commander Su Jingtang had drugged Liu Jinfeng with wine and forcibly taken her to Lingshu Academy, asking if this was at his command. Duan Yunzhang, privately noting how "quick" they were, dismissed Sufang's concerns, stating it was "nothing."
He then allowed the ministers to take urgent state affairs directly to Liu Xie for approval before reporting back to him. Without another word, Duan Yunzhang immediately departed for Lingshu Academy.
